A.J. Brown
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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown.
As far as replacements for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown go, the franchise could do a lot worse than a highly motivated NFL legend with gas still left in the tank.
NBC’s Matthew Berry predicts if the Eagles were to actually find a trade partner for Brown, a primo target to replace him would be Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans, who is set to become a free agent for the 1st time in his storied career.
“Speaking of Mike Evans, I truly believe he’ll be in a new uniform next year,” Berry wrote on Monday. “The Buccaneers love him, but given the commitment they made to Chris Godwin last year and a deep young WR room, Tampa Bay is okay letting him go elsewhere. I heard Buffalo as a potential landing spot for Evans and possibly Philly if the Eagles decide to move A.J. Brown … Regarding A.J. Brown, the Eagles are undecided on keeping him or not. They are definitely listening and are open to moving him as has been widely reported.”
Evans tied Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice with his 11th consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2024 — and Evans’ 11th consecutive 1,000-yard season to start his career — but fell short of breaking that tie in 2025 when he missed a career high 9 games due to hamstring and collarbone injuries.
Evans Angered By Retirement Rumors, False Reports
Evans did not take kindly to false reports about his retirement, and ended the mystery when he announced he was going to return for a 13th season on February 17 — followed shortly by Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht the franchise felt Evans “deserved” to test the free agent market instead of hitting him with a franchise tag.
“WR Mike Evans WILL return in 2026,” ESPN’s Kimberley A. Martin wrote on her official X account on February 7. “His agents Deryk Gilmore + Darren Jones tell me the future HOFer will play this upcoming season — and *will* explore his free agency options. One of the league’s most consistent playmakers will be back — but we’ll see if it’ll be w/ the Bucs.”
“Bucs receiver Mike Evans plans to play in 2026 and explore options in free agency, according to his agent Deryk Gilmore,” Tampa Bay Times NFL reporter Rick Stroud wrote on his official X account. “Bucs would be in play. ‘Yes, that’s correct. He is opening it up,’ Gilmore said. ‘That he will play next season with someone. It could be Tampa but Will definitely play a 13th season.’ ”
Evans is a 6-time Pro Bowler, 2-time NFL All-Pro and Super Bowl champion who just played the final season of the 2-year, $41 million contract extension he signed in March 2024.
The No. 7 overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft, Evans has approximately $155 million in career earnings.
Spotrac projects Evans could be in line to receive something in the range of a 2-year, $26.6 million contract in the open market.
“LettingMike Evans play anywhere else but Tampa Bay would be the biggest mistake of the franchise’s history,” Bucs Wire’s EMT Ashlie wrote on their official X account.